Can You Define Important Terms and Vocabulary That Breast Implant Patients Should Know?

When you embark on the journey of undergoing breast augmentation surgery, you begin to hear words and phrases that aren’t part of your usual vocabulary. Just like traveling to a foreign country, traveling to the “world” of breast augmentation is more comfortable and interesting when you understand the local language! Here are some of the top terms you should know:

Areola: The pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple.

Augmentation Mammoplasty: Another name for breast augmentation surgery, in which the size of the breasts is enlarged or enhanced.

Breast Implants: Medical devices that are placed inside the body to reconstruct the breasts or to enhance the size of existing breasts. These implants are typically made either of saline or of silicone.

Capsular contracture: A complication that occasionally occurs months to years after surgery. Scar tissue surrounding the implant tightens, squeezing the implant.

Hematoma: A collection of blood that has pooled beneath the skin. In some cases, a hematoma resolves on its own after surgery; in most cases the blood will need to be drained by a doctor.

Inframammary Crease Incision: An incision (“cut”) made under the breast in order to insert an implant.

Mammogram: An X-ray image of the breast. Mammograms are used to screen for breast cancer as well as to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for a breast augmentation surgery.

Mastectomy: A surgery in which some or all of the breast tissue is removed. Tissue may be removed from one or both breasts. This procedure is one of many responses to breast cancer, when it is used to remove diseased tissue.

MRI: Short for “Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” This test is similar to an X-ray, in that it creates images of internal tissues. It is generally painless.

Periareolar Incision: An incision (“cut”) made at the edge of the areola in order to insert breast implants.

Submammary or subglandular placement: Breast implants that are inserted directly behind the breast tissue and on top of the pectoral muscle.

Submuscular or subpectoral placement: Breast implants that are inserted under the pectoral muscle, which is located behind the breast tissue.

Subfascial: Breast implants that are inserted on top of the pectoral muscle, but underneath the muscular fascia to keep the implant separated from the the breast tissue above.

Sutures: The stitches that hold skin and tissue together after an incision is made.

Transaxillary Incision: An incision made under the arm, which may also be used as part of the implantation procedure.

Ultrasound: An imaging test, similar to an MRI or an X-ray, that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the interior of the body.

For a free, private consultation about your breast augmentation surgery options in Cleveland, please call our team at The Cosmetic Surgery Center at (216) 264-8100.